Let freedom ring this Fourth of July

Ah, the 4th of July. That heat-of-the-summer holiday we all look forward to…the lazy, laid back, picnic time celebration full of family fun, frivolity and fireworks in the sky.

But, let’s not forget the history behind the hype.

The Fourth of July – also known as Independence Day – has been a national holiday in the United States since 1941, as explained by History.com, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Since then, this date has been recognized as the day the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation.

As the Declaration, now housed in the National Archives in Washington D.C., states, “”We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Powerful words, indeed.

And while there are plenty of festivities to get absorbed in on the Fourth of July, let us pause to remember that freedom isn’t free. Please join all of us at Rountree Group in taking a moment to salute our servicemen and women who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that America remains free. They give of themselves every day, sometimes paying the ultimate price, for this great nation…for all of us and for our freedoms.

To them we say, “Thank you for serving your country so selflessly. We are free because of you. We will never take that for granted.”

And as Ronald Reagan so eloquently reminded us, “”Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same.”